WWE: Does Zack Ryder's GM Position Next Week Mean It's His Time to Shine?

Over the course of 2011, Zack Ryder proved what until then had been considered unfeasible—it was possible to get over with fans without getting a push from the WWE.

Ryder's YouTube show, Z! True Long Island Story, made him immensely popular among fans, and the WWE was paying attention. Unfortunately for Ryder, the WWE was less than happy with Ryder's source of popularity—at least that's the way things seemed.

Though the fans cheered for Ryder, the Long Island native was on WWE television less and less.

The Ryder Revolution was over before it had even begun.

Fast forward to 2012. Now Zack Ryder is in a slump worse than he was before his YouTube show, but could his luck finally be changing?

On the July 3rd edition of SmackDown, Zack Ryder won the Great American Bash 20-Man Battle Royal, a feat which allowed him to become the general manager of SmackDown next week.

Ryder's victory over 19 other WWE superstars could mean that the WWE is finally ready to give him the push he has been waiting for.

Although Ryder's popularity with fans is not as huge as it used to be in 2011, this could be his opportunity to finally establish himself as a legitimate opponent, or it could all be a huge joke.